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Posted: 5/22/2014 2:56:31 PM EDT
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I've finally got my build up and running 100% (well close enough!)
After running only 250 rounds through it I was surprised how dirty the lower was, actually not really that surprised as I do shoot a lot of .22lr and know how dirty it is. Has anyone had any long term problems with all of this "filth" causing damage or interfering with the function of the FCG? If this were just a mil-spec FCG I really wouldn't care, but this is a CMC trigger, a little more costly to replace. My concern is that the grit will wear critical mating areas and possibly cause failures. Any input or experience greatly appreciated, thanks. Obligatory pic (stock is not attached, it is sitting in front of pistol buffer tube..just wanted to showwhat the finished product will look like...in about a year...   
Yes, the pmag works, but only 24 rounds...so close! 
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.22 LR ammunition is almost universally "dirty as sin." Remember that it's supposed to be a "rifle" round, so it's loaded to run the bullet down a fairly long barrel. With a short barrel (pistol or SBR), there will be a lot of "poorly" burnt powder residue. And that residue is filthy. 250 rounds of .22 is more than enough to turn your lower's open spaces into a filthy pit. The gunk is a combination of graphite (powder coating), soot, and unburnt powder. It won't, by itself, hurt the gun. But it WILL cake up and eventually slow things down enough to cause failures. One area that can collect the gunk is within the trigger/disconnector space...and having a failure there will either be a full stoppage or a disconnector failure, which means "full auto."
So, no "long term problems" per se, but just clean the bastard now and then. If you're going through a lot of rounds, spray some cleaner into the lower and wash out the gunk when you're finished. I like Slick 2000's 725 cleaner/degreaser, because it's a water-based compound that won't eat up your skin but will get rid of almost any kind of grime. Be sure to lube the lower properly after you've cleaned it. |
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GH,
Thanks for the input. I do run it pretty wet and I've found that my air compressor works great to clean out the lower. I don't mind the dirt but my concern was that the grit would act as sandpaper and wear the critical contact points. I clean my guns to perfection after each outing so I don't worry about gunk building up too bad. I was just really surprised how dirty the lower was and there were a lot of sand like particles that I don't remember seeing in my other rimfires. |
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